AME: Escaping the Outrage Machine with Dr. Dawn Grimes
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In this engaging throwback episode Alan Mead is joined by frequent guest Dr. Dawn Grimes. They have a thoughtful conversation on mental health, specifically how consuming the news and the media's "outrage machine" can negatively impact daily life. Dr. Mead shares his new strategy of driving his morning commute in complete silence to protect his peace, while Dr. Grimes emphasizes the importance of staying in the present moment rather than dreading future inevitabilities like paying tax quarterlies. The episode wraps up with amusing anecdotes about recognizing distinct voices in public,...
info_outline
Group Function: Decoding DSOs with Dr. Mark Costes & Dr. Paul Etchison
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In this throwback episode of the Group Function Podcast, Alan Mead sits down with two titans of dental podcasting: Dr. Mark Costes and Dr. Paul Etchison! Together they decode the rapidly evolving world of Dental Service Organizations (DSOs). They break down complex industry jargon like EBITDA, recapitalization, and same-store growth, making it easily digestible for independent practice owners. The trio explores the transition from the initial wave of practice consolidation to the modern, highly discerning private equity landscape. Between dropping heavy business knowledge, they also take...
info_outline
Very Clinical: Feed the Associate First with Dr. Sully Sullivan
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In this throwback episode of the Very Clinical Podcast, hosts Zach and Kevin welcome Dr. Sully Sullivan from Nashville, Tennessee. Sully shares his journey of joining his father's successful dental practice and the strategic moves that propelled their exponential growth. From overcoming generational ego to investing in CBCT technology and executing a massive office expansion from 2,700 to 11,000 square feet, Sully breaks down the mindset required to scale. He also details the importance of feeding your associates first to ensure their success. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about...
info_outline
AME: The "After This..." Trap
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Recorded straight from the front porch of the farm, Alan reflects on the relief—and the sudden realization—that comes after hosting a massive high school graduation party for his son, Sean. Surrounded by the ambient sounds of wind chimes and ducks, Alan explores the "Arrival Fallacy" (or Destination Fallacy): the psychological trap of using a major calendar milestone as an excuse to put the rest of your life on hold. From neglected summer bike rides to delayed office tasks, Alan unpacks why we tend to pause our daily routines for big events and challenges listeners to stop waiting for the...
info_outline
Very Dental: The Truth About "Printed Ceramics" & AI Design with Damien Bonner
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan welcomes back CAD-Ray's Damien Bonner to demystify the rapidly evolving world of chairside 3D printing and digital restorative workflows. The two kick off the conversation with a lighthearted look at phishing scams targeting clinicians before diving into CAD-Ray's scanner lineup, including the Shining 3D Elf and Elite. Damien breaks down the new Shining 3D Ceramix Nano restorative printer, comparing its compact footprint, built-in curing, and $6,000 price tag to existing systems like the SprintRay Midas. They also tackle the major shifts in software licensing—highlighting Exocad’s new...
info_outline
Very Dental Classics: Finesse, Panache, Elan with Dr. Bart Schultz
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In this throwback episode of the Very Dental Podcast, Alan sits down with his long-time friend and dental school classmate, Dr. Bart Schultz, for a wide-ranging, candid conversation that blends nostalgia with clinical reality. Celebrating their entry into the 50-year-old club, the duo reflects on the evolution of their careers from green, baby-faced associates to seasoned clinicians. They swap unforgettable stories from the trenches, ranging from a "barbaric" old-school practice that recycled extracted teeth as autograft pontics to the historical misuses of Miracle Mix as a permanent...
info_outline
AME: The Averages
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan discusses the distinct economic realities of general dentistry, focusing on why the industry relies almost exclusively on a traditional flat-fee structure rather than complexity-based or hourly pricing. While individual clinical procedures exist on a vast continuum—ranging from effortless five-minute wins to grueling, unpredictable clinical nightmares—general practitioners routinely charge the exact same fee for both extremes. Alan breaks down how profitability structurally relies on "the averages," where highly efficient, straightforward procedures inevitably subsidize the...
info_outline
Group Function: From Hours to Minutes with Erez Druk and Dr. Giles Damron
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan welcomes Erez Druk, the co-founder of Freed.ai, and returning guest Dr. Giles Damron to explore how artificial intelligence is revolutionized clinical documentation. Giles shares his firsthand experience of using Freed’s AI-scribing software over the last two years to write thorough, accurate, and highly detailed dental notes in a fraction of the time. Erez dives into the heartwarming origin story of Freed—which began as a tool to help his family medicine physician wife fight burnout—and explains how the technology seamlessly filters out dental operatory noise, handles multiple...
info_outline
Very Clinical: Streamline Your Implant “Tackle Box” with Dr. Chris Salierno
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In this throwback episode, Kevin and Zach feature Dr. Chris Salierno talk about the real-world operational realities of implant dentistry. Moving past the textbook "before and after" presentation, Chris shares valuable lessons learned from his early residency clinical errors, examining how aesthetic, functional, and hygienic complications ultimately shape a successful final restoration. The conversation highlights the value of beginning with the end in mind and showcases the practical workflows of the Neoss implant system, demonstrating how a streamlined design and smart component features can...
info_outline
AME: The Rise of the Instant Expert
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan gets real about a major pet peeve that’s been festering on his Instagram feed: the rise of the "sobriety influencer." Celebrating over 24 years of clean time himself, Alan breaks down why the highly curated, aesthetic world of online recovery culture—full of sunny morning routines, mocktails, and six-month "experts"—feels completely detached from the gritty, anonymous reality of church basements and smoky bingo halls. He then flips the camera onto the dental world, revealing the exact same "pink cloud" script being run by young, inexperienced dental influencers. From flawless...
info_outlineAlan sat down to talk with Jacob, his 10 year old son about our current Coronavirus crisis. It's kind of silly, kind of fun and a little bit of a relief to realize that this kiddo is taking it in stride!
Our friends at Microcopy Dental have been making Damn Good Burs for more than 50 years! You need to give their single patient use burs a try! You need to request a free sample of their damn good NeoDiamond 1116.8C. It's a work horse round end taper coarse bur for crown preps and operative. It's a terrific bur by any standard, but the fact that it's single patient use means there's no risk of cross contamination and you always get a great cutting, brand-new-out-of-the-package bur. Go check it out at dentalhacks.com/damngoodburs! Let Microcopy's experience change the way you see dentistry with their damn good burs!